Event #2 "Copper's family" [Starter thread]

[Administrator]

One by one you wake up. Your stomach hurts like someone was poking you with a needle from the inside. Your head is pounding, you feel nauseated. When you open your eyes, you see that the school looks abandoned: the walls are covered in irradiated paint, most of the light bulbs are broken - so the lighting is dim - and there is no natural light from the windows. No matter how much time has passed the view outside the windows doesn't change - everything is pitch black and the only thing you can hear is heavy raindrops hammering against them.

You won't be able to get out through the window or any of the exits. If you try to throw something at the window to break it, it won't shatter. Besides that, I would not recommend jumping into the bottomless holes in the floor (the main ginormous hole is located in the middle of the school in the plaza), that appeared after the "impact". Besides the holes the "black" part of the map represents collapsed walls and floor - mainly the masses of deteriorated concrete are located in the corridors, blocking the way from reaching each of the areas.

TASK: Carefully explore your surroundings and stay close to your group; nobody knows what awaits you around the corner in the dark. The NPC of the group stays knocked out for this thread, but you will be able to communicate with them later. You are allowed to roam around the area (three rooms) and create as many threads as you want. Don't forget to tag people in the title and describe in your first post (or in "off-top" section below the post) when did this thread happen time-wise, so nobody will get confused!

PARTICIPANTS IN THIS AREA [computer lab / class 2-1 / toilets (male)]:

- Copper (unconscious)

- Ryan
- Alex
- Emery
- Jamie

- Polaris

- Nerissa

- Tristan

WEATHER AND TIME IN THE GAME:
The sky is pitch black and it's still raining buckets of rain.

DATE IN THE GAME:
Unknown.

POST ORDER:
There is none post order BUT wait for at least two new posts to appear, before posting again.

[Nerissa Clark]

Nerissa came back to consciousness. All she could hear was the rain tapping on to the glass outside but when she opened her eyes she only saw pitch black. Her head hurt and her stomach hurt like had a pin through it. It made her nauseous. She groaned in pain turning to her side in a fetal position. She felt her phone in her hand. "Hello?!" She called out into the nothingness. "Anyone here with me?!" She called out again. "Naomi?!"

With painstaking effort she sat up. Taking her phone she put on the flash light. "Hello?" She called out letting the beam of light cut through the dark in search of other people. She didn't know where she was though.

[Jamie Lewis]

The girl woke up with an insane headache and nausea. She didn’t know where she was at first..she couldn’t remember anything. What’s going on.. what happened? Jamie looked around...darkness...darkness everywhere.

She sat up and her hand bumped into something. She looked closely, her eyes started to get used to the dark, and she could make out a figure. It was Alex, knocked out next to her. Suddenly she had a flashback of falling, but her head started ringing so she grabbed it with her hands, hoping that it would go away.

The brunette looked back at the raven-haired. “Alex…?” she asked in hope of an answer. Then she started calling out other names “Kairi?...Tristan?... Miss Kishi?.. Anybody?” for a moment it seemed like she was alone. She got out her phone but it was still dysfunctional because of the rain. She just sat there, waiting, she didn’t know for how long. The silence was unbearable... “Hello?” finally she heard a voice. “Hello? Who are you? I’m Jamie.. do you...uh..know where we are?” the next moment a flashlight blinded her face. Hopefully it was someone from the club...

[Alexander Attiyah]

"Alex..?"

Al winced slightly, his head pounding as if it was gonna split through his skull. Wha-what? he muttered inwardly, unable to move as his body ached. The pain in his cheek had started to hit him full force now, making every small movement on his face send a sharp sting racing through his body. And it was all the disoriented raven-haired could feel as he lay there on the ground, feeling like he got hit by a truck...

At that moment, a bright light flashed across his eyes, making his headache intensify for a split second. He groaned as he began to become more conscious and aware of the pain he felt, and his eyes slowly opened up in a dizzying haze. However all his brown eyes could see was blackness surrounded by the blurry silhouette of someone sitting next to him, his memory feeling every bit as fuzzy and confusing as his vision was.

"Jamie?" he eventually stammered out, his voice dry and raspy. He tried to move to stand up, but merely let out a grunt and layed back down as sudden nausea flooded through him. God, everything hurts, he thought as he tried to brace through the pain, raising one hand towards his head as if he could hold it all back. He wasn't even sure he understood what had happened; he could remember being in the auditorium... of Miss Kishi showing up finally... and then a lot of yelling and panic...

The memories seemed to flash by in seconds and out of focus, and all Al could do was hold his head, only aware of the pain hitting against his skull and against his cheek now that the numbing had vanished to leave nothing but throbbing pain behind. Shifting his hand towards the area that hurt, he gently tested it and immediately let out an audible wince as the added pressure seemed to explode the pain there. Thankfully the swelling didn't feel too bad--well all except for the fact that his cheek was massively tender anyway--but he had long lost the coke can and Em's handkerchief that he had stuffed into his pocket (which was probably beyond dry now anyway) seemed to have flown out along with his wallet and keys amid the chaos upstairs...

Oh shit, Em!

His eyes immediately burst back open as he tried to force himself to sit upright despite the pain urging him not to move. It was the least of his worries now as his eyes frantically searched the area in a rush of panic... Only the more he tried to make sense of the blurriness and darkness all around him, the more aware he became of a heavy weight pressing against his legs.

Looking down towards whatever had him pinned down, Al was barely able to make out the outline of a person's head and upper body lying on top of him. And as the light in the room moved, he could see dark, ombre-tipped hair illuminate in his vision, instantly causing him to suck in a shallow breath. It was his sister, still very much unconscious and a lot heavier than he remembered her being... Though that was probably cause the older sibling felt like a walking enigma of pain already.

"Em! Em, hey!" he called out in a hoarse voice as he leaned forward as well as he could in his bruised-up state. He reached a hand out to try and shake her awake, though she remained unconscious. The faint feel of panic spread through him as he bit the inside of his cheek and he immediately shifted his hand over towards her mouth. Thankfully he could feel her warm breath hit against the back of his hand and he let out a breath of relief himself, closing his eyes for a small moment in a small prayer.

Thank God she's alive at least, he thought as his brown eyes watched her for a moment, hoping that she was alright as he tried to make sense of what happened. After a few seconds had passed, he became aware of more talking and turned towards where he had thought he heard Jamie, noticing she was there as well as someone standing behind a light. However he couldn't make it out the latter amid all the disorientation. "Are you guys okay?" he asked quietly, feeling the pain in his cheek sting with every word he breathed out.

[Nerissa Clark]

As she heard a girls voice answer her Nerissa got into a half kneeling position, and with that she pushed herself up to stand. "Ow....." Taking a wide stance she had to steady herself for a moment before moving. "It's me.... Nerissa." She moved to the source of the voice. As she got closer she realized it was Jaime. "Are you hurt?" She asked kneeling beside the girl. "Sorry, I have no idea where we are. My guess is still at the school..." She answered the girl as she looked her over.

Over to their side there was someone waking up too. As she shone the light she saw it was Alex, and on top of him was his sister. Well that was good wasn't it, that the family was not broken.

"Are you alright?" She asked but he was too busy checking for his sisters life signs. Nerissa shone the light on them so he could see his sister better. She waited patiently as the boy calmed down and seemed to become more aware of his surroundings. "Just aching a little. How about you?" She answered and then repeated her question. "Do you need help with her?" She then offered him, if Emery was hurt in some way it was better not to move her too much in case the injury got worse. But then again if they were in danger of being hit with another earthquake it would be a stupid move to stay in this place.

"We should stay together all of us. If.... no... when they send help it's better we are in large groups and not scattered about." She put on a brave smile doubting they would see her though, but it made her feel better. She moved the flash light around once again to see if anyone else was with them here

[Ryan Hepburn]

Ryan's eyes clenched as he slowly came through, not quite open yet. Not entirely sure if he could open them at this point. His head was swimming in both physical pain and emotional confusion.  His hands moved from under him, feeling the cold floor underneath his body. Alright, so he was on the floor. A part of him wishing this was all a delusion and he was in his bed...just waking up from a nightmare. Hell maybe he still is? Maybe he just fell out of bed again. 

His eyes shot open at the sound of a rather loud thunder roll. His body jolting up at the sudden noise- an instant regret on his part. His head only increased in pain levels- his stomach churning. Hands went to his head, his fingers combing through his hair as he tried to calm his aching body. Alright so- this wasn't his room.  Even in the darkness, that much he could tell. His eyes scanned the darkened room, trying to make sense of the faded shapes before him. Faint voices were heard around him, along with small bits of light. 

Oh- so he wasn't alone. Guess that's not entirely a bad thing. Wait...he knew these people. Sort of. Honestly he couldn't remember any of their names...drama club kids. That's all he could recollect. He sat there in silence,  letting the few who occupied the room continue their investigation. Trying to keep silent where he sat. He had hoped he was shrouded in enough darkness that no one would really notice he had woken up. He wasn't sure what he was doing here...or what the others were.  He could tell they were two girls...confusion in their voices as they desperately called out for people who honestly probably were no where in ear shot. You'd think waking up in a mysterious room with other people would automatically make you accuse them of putting you in here. But figuring out they were just as lost as he was...that probably wasn't the case here. That being said, he really didn't want them to notice he had awoken. Too nervous thinking maybe the girls would flock to him for help- which he really didn't have much to offer in this situation. Didn't really want the leader role here.

Ryan's eyes fell to the floor, trying to make up the figures before him. More people? Were they all unconscious and waking up just as he had? Or they dead? He racked his brain trying to figure out what the hell was going on when a male voice broke his concentration. Oh god...

Yup, it was Alex. He knew that obnoxious boy anywhere. Great! Can't wait to face a kid he had just fucking punched earlier. Wait- that was today right? Was it...still today? How long were they out? How much time has passed...maybe he had forgotten the brutality. His stomach twisted as he tried to scoot back further away from the small group of bodies, hoping to be as quite as he could- before his hand touched something behind him. He turned his body around , trying to make out what the hell he bumped into.

It was another person...hard to tell who in the darkness. Not that it mattered...probably wouldn't be able to recognize them anyways. Just before he continued moving, the light from the cellphones flashed over the mysterious body for a brief moment. His breathing stopping-

" T...Tristan?"

For some reason- all thought and logic escaped his head. His arms quickly wrapping around the smaller boy's body , pulling him up to his chest. Even though breathing was felt between their bodies, his panicked mind instantly proclaimed death. He's dead....Tristan is fucking dead. Tears pricked at his eyes as his grip tightened.

" Fuck- Fuck Tristan's fucking dead. No no no- fuck."

His heartbeat quickened, his vision becoming blurry with tears. This is his fault somehow. He  knows it. He told him he'd always be there...always protect him. The one fucking time he wasn't and now- his face buried in the crook of Tristan's neck, tears continuing to pour down his face. Past anxiety of what the others could possibly be thinking gone as he held his not dead boyfriend in his arms.

" I'm so sorry..."

[Tristan Pendragon]

He can't recall what happen ... He was ... with Phil ! They were ready to go and then ... Black out ... Damn his body hurt so much ... He fell like I'll not being able to open his eyes ... But he need to ...It's cold around him ... Until ... It become warmed ... Did someone hug him ? It felt like everything is so far away from him ... He almost want to get back to the void ... But he heard ... someone ... crying ? And a ... Familiar voice ... He need to wake up even if it hurts ... He does it every morning since he's child ... He can do it once more ...

He open his eyes with difficulties, his head hurt ... Where ... It's dark here ... Didn't he was in the corridor with Phil ? It wasn't night time .. Did it ? And where is Phil ? He heard people talking ...He notice Ryan holding him and crying ... " I'm so sorry..." ... For what ? Why Ryan's crying ? What happen ? Oh my god please make him ok ... He forgot the pain he feel and how tired he is, he just focus on his boyfriend. "Ryan ... ?" He took his face on his hand making the blond to look at him "w-why are you crying ? What's wrong ?" He ask worried ... "It's okay ... Try to breath, everything's okay hun" he smile softly only wanted Ryan to feel better. "I'm here"

[Alexander Attiyah]

It took a while for Al to register the girls next to him, though he soon realized the person in front of him with the light was Nerissa the second she lowered it a little away from his eyes. "Just aching a little," she answered him back. "How about you?"

"Well I'm alive," he said as he let out a hoarse and half-hearted chuckle, though mostly just to calm down his own nerves about what was going on. "So that's a start." He hoped she couldn't see how much it hurt to speak considering the pain in his cheek. But she looked a little preoccupied as her eyes focused on his lap where Emery was, and as she asked him her next question, he gave a small nod. "Yeah, thanks," he replied as he leaned forward to help lift her up a little from his side.

Working together, he slid himself out from underneath his sister and helped lay her back gently onto the floor again, taking his jacket off despite the aching in his muscles to give her something soft to rest her head against. Though as he moved the piece of clothing underneath her, his phone slipped out of the pocket and slid across the floor towards him. Reaching to pick up the device, he tested to see if it would turn on, feeling thankful when the screen lit up while looking to be undamaged for the most part. However the service had seemed to be lost in the storm or maybe perhaps from the fall... he wasn't sure. But still there remained the text he had written out earlier and forgot to send to Al, his eyes glancing at the screen.

AL-luring - Found Andrei. Misha and I are on the way.

Misha....

"ALEX!"

It was like a large brick had suddenly been thrown into him, all those memories from before instantly clearing up in his mind with the image of his best friend falling through the floor at the forefront of his mind. The chilling sight of her body disappearing into the ground, the shock, the fear... He could hear Nerissa say something about sticking together, but besides a small nod, he couldn't speak. Where is Misha? he whispered inwardly as his mouth instantly dried, his head turning to look beyond the two girls in front of him into the room. Bringing his phone up to use the flashlight like Nerissa had, he could make out other members of the drama club around them: Polaris, Tristan... and Ryan. Ugh why did it have to be him? he thought as he averted his gaze from the touching--but also randomly weird--scene between the two guys in the corner of the room. But where is Misha?!

Quickly moving his eyes across the room, Al started to feel the panic rise in him as he realized her familiar copper hair was nowhere to be found. It was like the little energy left in him was quickly collapsing just like the floor had earlier, and the only words he could form out of his mouth in a quiet whisper were "we should've just left when we had the chance..."

It was his fault him and Misha had stayed inside the auditorium... Hell, it was his suggestion they did that stupid prank in the first place instead of just leaving the damn school. She had wanted to leave; she asked him multiple times to. But we didn't... And now she's gone, he thought as his eyes closed shut, his head dropping slightly while a feeling he had had only once in his life before began to grip his body: one he could only describe as dread of the unknown. Was she alive? She had fallen a whole story, he went on to think as he bit the inside of his cheek, his fist clenching. It wasn't exactly high enough to kill someone simply by falling through the floor. But there's so much rubble, so many rocks... He couldn't know if she had fallen on anything or if anything had fallen on her. Nor could he check if she was hurt or not.

And the thought terrified him. More than he could describe in words.

I need to know if she's okay, he whispered inwardly as he stared at the screen on his phone, all of the pain in his body seeming to numb as his mind focused on the one thing he desperately needed to know for himself. Yet the more he stared at the screen, willing the service to work, the more useless it seemed to be. And eventually he dropped the device into his lap in a fit of frustration and regret. Great. Just great, he thought as he clenched his teeth, his eyes lowered towards the floor. He hated not being able to do anything. Even more when it was someone he cared about now missing along with all his other friends and fellow members that had been in the room. And yet all he could do was sit there in a bundle of aching limbs and a headache that would be impressive if it wasn't so damn painful.

Taking a few breaths to try and steady his emotions, Al slowly lifted his head and opened his eyes, taking in the dimly illuminated surroundings that flashed around him and the others inside the room... All before settling on a mass of reddish-brown fur that passed his gaze, the collar on his neck unmistakable. "Copper?" the raven-haired breathed out in a hushed voice before crawling forward towards the still dog. He couldn't tell through the dark if the pupper was dead, and the very thought made a lump catch in his throat. Yet as he neared closer, he could see the dog's body moving just slightly under his flashlight's rays, indicating he was breathing.

But wait, he thought as his body froze, the small glimmer of relief fast fading, if he is here, then that means...

"Where-where's Andrei, Copper?" he asked the silent lump of fur quietly. He knew the dog couldn't answer, nor was he awake enough to even move. He had hoped his two friends had been outside the school and heading home by the time the earthquake had hit. But it didn't seem like that was the case, and all the raven-haired could think about was whether his friends were okay or not, where they were... and if they were even alive...

No, stay focused, he told himself silently as he pushed against the floor to stand up. You'll find them. I hope...

Grunting a little from the soreness in his muscles, he gripped one of the desks and tried to hold back the nausea and splitting headache that seemed to increase due to the sudden movement. However he couldn't help but sway a little in disorientation and automatically reached out towards the nearest thing next to him to steady himself: which just so happened to be one of the school's computer desks. We're in the computer lab? he wondered as he looked around. It was hard to tell from how dark it was, but if they were in the lab, it was a good distance away from the auditorium... and up on the second floor no less. What the hell happened..?

He knit his brows together as his jaw tightened, displaying the pain he felt both inside and out. Unable to move much, he leaned against the rattled furniture, trying to concentrate on anything he could to try and forget the pain. "I'm so damn sick of today." Literally.

[Jamie Lewis]

“Jamie?” the girl heard the familiar voice. Her face lit up as she turned to her friend. “Alex!!” she was gonna hug him but the pain on his face suggested to just leave it be for now. “Oh gosh are you alright? Can I help? What hurts?” she asked quickly, maybe a bit too quickly. She was so relieved that she wasn’t alone.
"It's me.... Nerissa." she then heard the other voice."Are you hurt?" the girl asked as she kneeled beside her. “I’ll be fine, just a little headache” she said with a strained smile. How can someone smile like this? They have no idea where they are, it is completely dark and they weren’t sure who was dead or alive.
“Em! Em,hey!” Alex said. Emery’s here too? Thank gosh, at least we have her. Jamie met her through Al. Very nice girl, fun to hang with, but she wasn’t waking up. The raven-haired boy leaned in closer, then back again with a relieved face. “Is she breathing?” Jamie asked hopefully.
"Are you guys okay?" he turned to them now “I’m good.” the brunette said.
Nerissa was holding the flashlight all this time to help them see each other better."We should stay together all of us. If.... no... when they send help it's better we are in large groups and not scattered about."

“You are right! I agree” she nodded. Then looked behind her. “Hmmm.. I wonder” said the girl.”Nerissa could you follow me with that light?” Jamie said as she came to four arms and started walking toward the darkness that was behind her. Soon enough she reached a wall. Nerissa looked through it with her flashlight and soon enough they found a switch. Jamie turned it on and the room was finally visible. The lights turned on and although still a bit dark, at parts but at least they could see each other without the flashlights.
She didn’t have time to celebrate her victory however, because the first thing she saw was Ryan holding Tristan in his arms… crying. She couldn’t exactly hear what the guy was murmuring, but she caught one word very clear. Dead…

It seemed like Jamie’s heart stopped moving, her eyes widened. He can’t be...he can’t be! She rushed over there as fast as she could and kneeled down next to Ryan her face almost as pale as the walls. She had to know. The girl put her finger on the Tristan’s wrist… he had a pulse.
"Ryan ... ?" she heard her best friend’s voice. A wave of relive rushed through her, as the boy was talking to Ryan. He was okay. She grabbed Tristan and hugged him close. She didn’t know what she would’ve done if he was gone. “You fucking idiot!” she turned to Ryan her face full of anger “You scared the fucking shit out of me!” she yelled at him, angrier than ever. “Didn’t you even bother to check if he’s breathing?...HUH?!” the girl was screaming at this point. She didn’t think about anything else. She was blaming Ryan, it’s his fault, why the fuck would he say that? This is not a fucking joke. Jamie was still holding Tristan close to her, almost shielding him from Ryan.
This guy is crazy...

[Nerissa Clark]

Nerissa's beam of light came across Ryan and Tristan. The former holding the latter in his arms and trying to wake him up. With Ryan being so distraught and frantic Nerissa did not feel comfortable intervening. She turned over to Alex. "Can you stand?" She asked before turning her attention back to Tristan and Ryan where Tristan had woken. Oh good, she just hoped there wouldn't be bodies anymore, seeing Ellie get crushed was enough for one day.

Jaime asked her to show the light so she did, and they found a light switch. After it was lit Nerissa turned the flash light off to conserve energy. Jaime was already over there to scold Ryan who had scared her by making her think Tristan was dead. "Enough of that. I know we are all scared and traumatized, but no need to get angry at eachother." She placed her hand on Jaime's shoulder. "Perhaps you could help me out with Polaris?" She suggested taking the girl with her over to the still unconscious one. Kneeling beside her she placed two fingers on her neck to feel the pulse. "She is alive too." She breathed out relieved.

She looked over to the others, Alex was over there with the dog that had knocked her over before. She thought they could move but still the unconscious people made her nervous. Perhaps they could form a small scout group and go look for the others?

"Anyone feel strong enough to go scouting with me for others?" She asked out loud at the already awakened ones one or two would be enough.

[Nerissa performs a perception check]

[Administrator]

Dice result: 1D10 => 8
Sucsess; you found a clue!

---

Nerissa could feel her phone vibrating. It's hard to imagine how could this happen because there was no reception, but there was one new message from an unknown number.

ş͘͜͠͡ ͟͡ḩ̢̨̨͡e̡͝

[Something]

The dog let out one muffled bark and even though it was still asleep it moved his hinder legs like it was trying to run away.

An omnious silence hung in the air for a bit only to be broken by a sudden grunting rumbling. All of the present students could witness just for a split second about a dozen of computer screens turn on and flash a black static glitching image with the bright white letters "P PO E".

All of the computers immideatly shut down and one of the students - Jaime - felt a vibration coming from her turned on now working phone. The only thing that was different about it was that the wallpapers for the main screen has changed. It was a photo of her dear friend. Kairi.

[Emery Attiyah]

Everything was black, black and cold.

Cold and lonely.. As if something horrible happened and her mind wanted her to forget it again. Forget it like it did when her body put her into a coma. Yes, this was the familiar feeling. A feeling that made her feel numb and cold. All she could see was black and she had no idea what. What happened? was the only thought she could repeated while her body rested from whatever happened.

The darkness didn't last forever, it was replaced by the car crash once again.. Like it always did when something scared her to the point where she would have flashbacks. And everytime it happened, she wish she didn't have ptsd from the damn crash. Because this time, it wasn't her mother in the car.. No.. This time.. This time she saw everyone she cared for in place of her mother. Alex, Kairi, Naya, her oldest brother Daniel... They took turns, switching in and out in the same place she had saw her mother before she did go into the coma. Their eyes closed, their head bleeding as they laid on the steering wheel..

But it wasn't until Peyton showed up in the dream did she start to freak out. Cause no only was Peyton in the car, oh no, her mother was the one who was driving it.

"It appears you two decided to go to the police about me.. And here I thought you were a good girl, Emery.. Better than my horrible excuse for a daughter."

Emery's eyes narrowed, looking in the back car seats, her eyes widening when she saw Peyton tied up with duck tape around her mouth. She had fresh cuts and was looking at her in horror, trying to break free.

"It seems I'm going to have to teach both of you a lesson.."

What does she mean by both of us? She thought to herself before she felt like she could no longer move, forcing her to look down. She gasped when she realized she was tied too. And not only was she tied but she was gagged as well. She looked up in horror, watching as they were headed to what looked like water. No! She struggled, trying to get free.

"Time to go for a swim!" Peyton's mother laughed before stepping on the break. Causing Emery's eyes to widened at their fullest as she let out a scream, her duck tape disappearing.

────

"No! Peyton!!!" Emery screamed out when the computers suddenly came on, her body flying up into a sitting position. Her eyes wide, breathing hard, she looked at what seemed to be a dirty floor underneath her. Not really noticing the flashing around her as she came to her senses. She only noticed them when she looked up and saw a couple of letters on them before they shut off. She looked at them in confusion. What's going on? She looked at the floor, taking note how dirty it really was beforeshe noticed some movement in the corner of her eye. She looked around and saw the kind of state the room was in, it really looked like a earthquake just hit. But it also felt off.. As if the place was older than it was? Her vision blurred when she saw one of a the holes in the ground, keeping her from seeing who was in the room. .. And not only that, she finally felt her head killing her and her stomach churning. "O-oh god," She cried out, getting on her knees so she could puke.

"Oh god, what is going on?" She asked out, her right hand holding onto her stomach, the pain taking over her right then and there. "Everything hurts.." She breathed, "Oh god, what is going on? All I can remember is.. a earthquake and," Ellie flashed into her mind, "And.. Ellie, a floodlight─she's dead.." She breathed, it becoming a bit heavier. Then Peyton and Kairi flashed through her mind, and not only them but Alex and Naya as well. "Wait.. Where's my brother? Where's Kairi? Naya? Peyton!?" She asked out, her voice growing louder as her panic attack grew. Her eyes scanning the room but not really focusing on anyone.

[Ryan Hepburn]

 Ryan's eyes widened, confused as Tristan spoke to him. He almost couldn't believe it- and yet....there he was. Looking directly at him, Tristan's hands holding onto his face. But...how? He was dead. He was sure of it. Ryan wiped his eyes with his own hands, sucking back the snot that had dribbled from his nose. 

" I thought you were gone-"

As the words fell from his lips, Tristan was soon ripped from his hold- as one of the girls pulled him away. Shit....what was this girl's name? His brow furrowed as she spat in his direction. Seemingly angry at Ryan's premature death sentence towards his boyfriend. Why the hell was she upset? He obviously cares way more about him than she does. So much so that he ruled out any sort of common sense and proclaimed Tristan dead.

" Get off my ass, I panicked. "

Ryan's retaliation was cut short the monitors around them suddenly flickered on. Letters appearing briefly before cutting out again. Ryan stood up, cautious about the remaining bodies that could be near. What the hell was that...he didn't catch any of the words that flashed- probably weren't important though. Might of just been an circuit busting or something. Shortly after the computer fiasco- a familiar voice began calling out in almost a panicked shout. 

" Emery? "

He contemplated stumbling through the dark to attempt to find his friend who was certainly near- but he stopped himself. Honestly scared after he had almost stepped over Tristan- who knows what or who else lays on the ground before them. He cupped his hands around his mouth trying to enhance his voice.

" Yo, we're over here. "

Yeah Ryan don't say your name or who ' we ' is. Just fucking shout at her.

[Alexander Attiyah]

As soon as Jamie and Nerissa turned on the lights, Al immediately squinted, allowing his eyes to adjust to the change in brightness while he leaned against the computer desk. Thankfully he found that the more he stood and stretched, the more the ache in his muscles began to lessen. Though he only wished he could say the same for his head and his cheek...

Turning off his phone's light and slipping it inside his pant's pocket as well, the raven-haired looked over to see Nerissa checking Polaris for a pulse. And much to everyone's relief, the little prankster-in-training did. "Anyone feel strong enough to go scouting with me for the others?" the dark-haired girl asked as she addressed the group.

Al met her gaze before shifting his eyes to where Emery was still unconscious on the ground, his brows knitting together in a conflicted expression. He wanted to stay and watch over his sister... make sure she was alright when she woke up. But he also hated sitting there doing nothing when he had friends out there he didn't know were alive or not. And it was obvious their phones weren't going to do any good in communicating with that storm going on outside...

Plus we need to figure a way out of here, he thought as he glanced at the rubble around the room. Chances were the rest of the school was in pretty bad shape following that earthquake if it could rip apart the floor and the ceiling. And if they didn't find a way out soon... well, he didn't exactly want to consider the consequences of what staying inside a crumbling building might bring.

Mulling over his options, the raven-haired was suddenly pulled from his thoughts when Copper barked right next to him, the sound muffled and quiet. Glancing down immediately, Al was surprised to see the dog still unconscious but kicking his furry legs as if trying to run. However, instead of a peaceful expression on the pupper's face like he was used to seeing, it looked... troubled. "Copper? What is it, boy?" he asked as he squatted down next to him and placed a hand gently onto the poor dog's side. His first thought was maybe the bloodhound was having a bad dream. Yet as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, he became more aware of how quiet the room had gotten...

All until the silence was suddenly broken, however, by a low rumbling noise as well as a scream of terror that sent shivers racing down Al's spine. Immediately he whipped his head towards where his sister, Emery, had woken up, recognizing her voice instantly. And as if in sync, the sound was followed by dozens of computers turning on all at once, along with flashes of multi-color lights dancing on the walls and rubble - including the one positioned on the desk he was currently leaning against.

His brown eyes shot towards the monitor as he took a surprised step back, his heart racing inside this chest. On the computer's display was a glitching black image with bright white letters: P PO E... Yet just as quickly as it had appeared, the screen suddenly went black again, giving the raven-haired barely enough time to process what he was seeing before the hum of the computers silenced around them.

"What the hell was that!?" Al asked as he stared straight ahead at the dead monitor. He had no idea what had caused all those computers to turn on. His best guess was that maybe they had a power surge or something from the storm outside as he could still hear the rain hitting against the windows. But what was with that weird message? And why did Copper react right before all those turned on? Honestly, the whole thing was weird and made him feel more nervous and confused as to what exactly was going on.

However his thoughts were quickly interrupted when his sister suddenly began hyperventilating and calling out in a panic. Immediately making his way towards her--albeit slowly as his muscles were still sore and he didn't want to run into anything amid all the mess--he crouched down next to her and gripped her hand with one of his own. "Em, hey it's okay. I'm right here," he reassured her gently, giving her fingers a small, reassuring squeeze. "I'm right here." His brown eyes searched her face, willing her to look at him. And after waiting a few moments for her to finally register him, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight and comforting embrace, feeling like he was suddenly back inside that hospital room from a few years ago.